Despite Recent Repression, Beit Ommar Demonstration Continues

16 October 2010

On Saturday, October 16th, 2010, around 70 Palestinians from Beit Ommar rallied against the nearby Israeli settlement of Karmei Tsur. As the demonstrators marched toward the settlement, more than two dozen Israeli Forces blocked their path, declaring the area a closed military zone. For the next ten minutes, soldiers pushed the activists up towards the village. One of the commanders asked the wife of Mousa Abu Maria why he was not at this weeks demonstration.

Soldier Shoots Tear Gas Straight at Demonstrators In Defiance of Isreali Law

Israeli Forces then began firing tear gas and sound bombs at Palestinian youth who had gathered near the houses. Some of the youth threw stones to demonstrate their anger at the occupying army. For the next half hour, several soldiers occupied the roof of a Palestinian residence at the edge of the village and continued to fire tear gas at the boys in the streets below. The demonstration finished soon after, and fortunately no one was injured or arrested.

The Beit Ommar National Committee Against the Wall and Settlements and the Palestine Solidarity Project organize these weekly demonstrations against the Israeli occupation. Last week, four Palestinians and four international solidarity activists were arrested. Undercover Israeli Forces, dressed as Palestinians, arrested three of the youth.

This past week, a member of the National Committee was arrested from his home by Israeli soldiers and is currently in Gush Etzion settlement jail. Israeli security have told his lawyer that they are planning on placing him under administrative detention, where he can be held without charge or trial.

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The Palestine Solidarity Project is a Palestinian project dedicated to opposing the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land through non-violent direct action. It is funded almost entirely by individuals of conscience around the world. Read more & donate.